Devine Scripture

Revelation 14:12

What does Revelation 14:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 14:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 14:12 means

Here John points to the needed response: the patience of the saints. Endurance is not passive waiting but steadfast loyalty, keeping God’s commandments and holding to the faith of Jesus. In a setting where compromise is costly and pressure is relentless, saints endure by obeying and trusting. This endurance is the opposite of beast-worship; it is sustained allegiance to the true Lord. The phrase links duty and devotion—commandments and faith go together. In trials, what keeps believers is not their strength but their persistent attachment to Jesus, expressed in lives that honor God’s will. This verse calls the church to a long obedience in the same direction.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Here is the quiet strength of the saints, who keep the orders of God, and the faith of Jesus.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Here is endurance of the saints: here <FI>are<Fi> those keeping the commands of God, and the faith of Jesus.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Here is the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Here is the endurance of the saints, who keep the commandments ofGod and the faith of Jesus.

Context

After the terrifying portrait of judgment in verses 9–11, verse 12 speaks to the community of believers about their posture. It functions as a hinge, summarizing how to live under the shadow of such realities: persevere in obedience and faith. The next verse (13) will reinforce this call with a blessing for those who die in the Lord, assuring them of rest and lasting reward. Together, verses 12–13 provide pastoral encouragement before the vision shifts to the symbolic harvests that display God’s verdicts over the earth (verses 14–20), first in a grain-like reaping and then in a grape-press of wrath.

v.11and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name.

v.12This passage

v.13And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 3:8

    I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.

  • Revelation 3:10

    Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

  • Revelation 12:17

    And the dragon waxed wroth with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus:

  • 2 Timothy 4:7

    I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:

  • Revelation 13:10

    If any man is for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 14

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 14.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 14:12.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary